Glen Coe Winter Ascent

Great trip, winter hillwalking with Stevie and Jacob. Great to be able to tick off a Munro in the winter. Excellent instruction on fitting crampons to boots, using an ice axe, traversing, ascending and descending. Superb demonstrations on technical aspects of self-arrest and top tips for winter hill walking were given frequently. Great to finally get crampons on and see what the winter walking is like, which was epic. Instruction is tailored to the group’s prior experience, and the day is well-planned and paced at a good rate suitable for all. The vehicle you travel in is very comfy, with the crew informing you of the day’s plan once everyone is aboard. The equipment rented from OV is high quality. Stevie is highly knowledgeable and evidently experienced and answers any queries you have throughout the day well. Highly recommend this trip as a must-do when visiting Scotland.James

I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend the Winter Hillwalking Experience with Ocean Vertical. After a few days of snow had fallen in the Highlands we booked at pretty short notice and had a brilliant day on Stob a’Choire Odhair with Stevie. Conditions – and Stevie’s choice of mountain given the mixed forecast – were perfect. We learnt a huge amount about being in the mountains in winter (planning, decision-making, use of equipment) and had a whole lot of fun in the process. The smiles at the summit said it all!

Stevie took the time to find out what we all wanted from the day and managed the different levels in our group really well, giving just the right level of support and encouragement to the less confident (me!) as well as the right level of challenge to the more confident. Communication before the day was excellent and the pick up and drop off service was great; it means you arrive at the hill fresh (and can snooze on the way home after the day’s adventures… )

We’re looking forward to our next OV trip!

We had the most amazing day in the Black Mount area with Ocean Vertical. We were a bit of a mixed group with a range of abilities and “risk takers”, and Stevie judged the day and what we would be able to achieve as a group, PERFECTLY. It was such an incredible view from the top and was a wonderful experience. I learnt so much about how to assess weather conditions and make decisions sensibly in the mountains, it has given me much more confidence.

Enjoyed a great day in early January with Stevie and Adrian bagging 3 Munro’s – Ben Lawers, An Stuc and Beinn Ghlas.

Great to have the knowledge to take us on the less trodden route to the top of Ben Lawers, help negotiate the atmospheric conditions on the day and give us options for climbs. Thanks, guys! Looking forward to the next winter mountaineering in Scotland trip!

Amazing day out winter mountaineering in Scotland in the snow with Stevie and Adrian yesterday. We learned loads of new techniques including how to use crampons and an ice axe! Feeling more confident in managing Scottish winter conditions and looking forward to getting another day out with them soon.

Had a fantastic day out learning basic mountaineering under the tutorage of Stevie and Adrian. Lots of knowledge shared on key skills for the mountain, as well as having a go with crampons and ice axe for the first time.

Felt safe at all times and throughout the day the guys did a fantastic job make sure the pace was suitable for the whole group.

Brilliant value for money, will definitely do again very soon and can’t recommend enough!

Lucky enough this year to go out with Ocean Vertical winter mountaineering in Glen Coe, paddle boarding in East Lothian and just recently rock climbing outdoors in Northumberland. Each experience has been an awesome day! Learning valuable skills like navigation in the winter to learning how to safely climb on rock from Stevie and Adrian who are both great at what they do. Loads of experience and knowledge in the outdoors. Looking forward to hopefully more adventure in Scotland soon.

Thoroughly enjoyed another trip mountaineering to stunning Glen Coe with the highly experienced team at Ocean Vertical. With transparent and on-going risk assessment, Stevie and Adrian strive to provide their adventurers with the best experience in the conditions available – adapting where necessary with their extensive knowledge of the area. Whether it’s been paddle boarding, climbing or mountaineering in Scotland, I have always had a safe and truly rewarding experience. Can’t wait to get out with them again!

I thought we were mad getting up for a 3.30am start to go winter hillwalking! I now know why we did it. Watching the winter sunrise over Glen Coe was pretty special. Would I do it again? I’m already booked in for my next trip!

First time with an ice axe and crampons! What a day in the Glen Coe mountains with Ocean Vertical. It was absolutely breath taking with amazing views and lots of snow! Feeling a lot more confident after this trip and cant wait to get out again….. Brilliant!

What a adventure climbing with Ocean Vertical in Glen Coe!. Not being an experienced climber the guides led us to the top of a very snowy mountain with knowledge experience and skill. Mesmerised by the views I am already looking to book my next trip. There is a whole other world in those mountains – epic day. They also provided transport, ice axes, crampons and boots!

Ocean Vertical is brought together by people who live and breathe the mountain and outdoor life to the full extent. I have spent an absolutely amazing time with Stevie and Adrian and Ocean Vertical climbing in the Scottish mountains.

The practical and technical information they pass on to people is truly their passion, and it is felt on the journey, in the mountains and their lifestyle. That you Ocean Vertical – 5 stars :]

I was working in Edinburgh and planned to do some walking with a group of friends. A colleague recommended Ocean Vertical. I called but they were booked out, had a call-back and they coordinated a mountain trip for us!
A day later, I was standing 3,500 feet up on Stob Coire nan Lochan in snow and ice looking out over the most incredible scenery in Glen Coe, a brilliant trip that I couldn’t have accessed without Stevie and Adrian who were fabulous guides. Totally recommend!

What a day! Spectacular weather and views. Lots of snow and it was freezing! First time with an ice axe and crampons. The guys at Ocean Vertical were brilliant. We talked about planning, decision-making, navigation and how to use our technical equipment – I now know how to fit a crampon! Huge thanks and will be back!